Why all the hype about green smoothies?

Published: may. 14

Instead of people eating their veggies, more people are drinking them instead, which is great for people that need extra nutrition but may not like the texture of vegetables.

Green smoothies are packed with raw, leafy green vegetables, which makes them a great source of minerals and vitamins. Vegetables are naturally high in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. Additionally, vegetables are pureed, which means that the natural fiber is intact, which helps to fill people up.

Smoothies are a great way to stay hydrated, can boost energy, aid digestion and even improve muscle recovery after intense workouts. However, people that are prone to kidney stones may want to speak to their physicians before regularly turning to green smoothies. Green smoothies have oxalates, which form from oxalic acid. These are common in plant-based foods, such as Swiss chard and raw spinach, but some of these are effectively broken down by cooking. Oxalic acid is linked to kidney stones. People that have a family history or have had kidney stones may need to monitor their intake of oxalates.

Additionally, green smoothies become unhealthy when there are high-fat additions or creams. Smoothies should also contain more vegetables than fruits, as the latter are higher in sugars and negate many of the positive effects of traditional green smoothies.

Green smoothies may contain a variety of ingredients, including green vegetables such as spinach, celery, kale, Swiss chard, beet leaves, parsley and cucumbers. The addition of small amounts of fruit, such as green apples, kiwi, carrots or beets is also good. Unsweetened Greek yogurt is also a healthy addition to green smoothies.

Many celebrities endorse green smoothies, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that drinking every meal is good for you. If you lack vegetables in your diet, by adding the nutrients your body needs to fuel you through your day, the addition of a green smoothie can be a good thing. If you don’t like vegetables and add too much dairy and other fattening agents to make a green smoothie taste better, you’ve negated the positive benefits and are heading towards unhealthy, even weight-gaining results.

Here’s an example of a healthy, beneficial and good-for-you green smoothie recipe.

Low Sugar Green Smoothie

1 stalk celery

3” piece cucumber, peeled

2 kale leaves

2 1-1/2 tbsp. fresh lime juice

2 drops stevia

1-1/2 cups water

1 cup ice

Add all ingredients to a blender, puree until smooth and divide into two servings.